An Ashland man who nearly crashed his car into a utility pole on Union Street in Ashland early on Monday was drunk, a prosecutor said.

Ashland police arrested Anthony Alberini, 50, after they pulled him over at 12:15 a.m., prosecutor Nate Burris said during Alberiniís Framingham District Court arraignment.

An officer stopped a car†Monday when he saw†it swerving all over the road and nearly strike a utility pole, the prosecutor said.

When the officer spoke to Alberini, the officer could smell alcohol coming from him, but Alberini denied being drunk.

"The defendant stated that he had a few beers, but that was hours prior," Burris said.

When Alberini got out of his car, he had trouble walking and had to lean against his car to steady himself, Burris said. Alberini failed three field sobriety tests and police arrested him. Alberini refused to take a Breathalyzer test.

Alberini was convicted of drunken driving in 1981, 1989 and 1991, according to court records.

Alberini, of 109 Homer Ave., is charged with operating a vehicle under the influence of liquor (fourth offense) and driving to endanger. He was also cited for a marked lanes violation.

Burris asked Judge Douglas Stoddart to hold Alberini on $1,000 bail, place him on house arrest and to order that a device that tests Alberiniís blood alcohol level be installed on his phone.

Alberiniís lawyer, Robert Costello, argued for Alberiniís release. He said officers only detected a "moderate odor of alcohol," not "an overwhelming odor."

Stoddart released Alberini without bail. He ordered Alberini to remain at home other than medical appointments until at least Wednesday when the phone device can be installed. He also ordered Alberini to not drive.

Alberini is due back in court on Sept. 5 for a pretrial conference.

Norman Miller can be reached at 508-626-3823 or nmiller@wickedlocal.com. For up-to-date crime news, follow Norman Miller on Twitter @Norman_MillerMW.